New Zealand Highlights

AAT Kings’ 14 day New Zealand Highlights, see the north & south island including Auckland, Rotorua, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, Milford Sound & more

Tour code ZAC
14 days
Priced from A$3680
Premium Escorted
Departs from Auckland, finishes at Christchurch

Highlights

SPECTACULAR SIGHTSEEING EXPERIENCES

• EXCLUSIVE! Enjoy a Skyline Gondola ride and breakfast with sparkling wine
• EXCLUSIVE! Sample wine and enjoy dinner at the Montana Winery
• EXCLUSIVE! Discover the sights of Christchurch on the Christchurch Tram
• EXCLUSIVE! Experience the Scottish heritage of Dunedin at Larnach Castle
• Tour the Waitomo Caves
• Experience The Realm of T ne
• Enjoy a Maori Hangi and concert
• Visit beautiful Paradise Valley Springs
• See the Agrodome’s Sheep Show
• Explore Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve
• Visit Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum
• Discover spectacular Milford Sound
• Cruise on the T.S.S. Earnslaw
• View magnificent Franz Josef Glacier
• See the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes
• Journey aboard the TranzAlpine train

FIRST CLASS HOLIDAY INCLUSIONS

Transportation

• Tour by luxury air-conditioned coach with 2-door access, restroom, reclining seats, seat belts and large panoramic windows

Professionally Escorted

• Tour with an experienced, professional Tour Director and Tour Driver

Dining Inclusions

• Full Buffet Breakfasts (13) (B)
• Exciting Highlight Dinners (3) (HD)
• Hotel Dinners (6) YOUR CHOICE

Accommodation

• Twin share rooms with private facilities in centrally located hotels

Plus

• Welcome drink
• All purpose travel bag and map
• Airport transfers (Day 1 Auckland Airport to hotel – flights to arrive prior to 4.00pm; Day 14 to Christchurch Airport – flights anytime)
• Hotel porterage included

Itinerary

Day 1 Tue: Arrive Auckland

On arrival at the hotel your day is at leisure to explore Auckland. This evening enjoy a welcome drink with your Tour Director.
Accommodation: Stamford Plaza, Auckland.

Day 2 Wed: Waitomo Caves – Rotorua

Today we experience a guided tour of the famous Waitomo Caves and discover the incredible Glow-worm Grotto.
Enjoy a special cultural evening with a visit to The Realm of Tãne followed by a Maori concert and Hangi feast. You will be greeted with a traditional Maori welcome ceremony, called a Powhiri, before experiencing a night of authentic traditional culture, entertainment and a Hangi feast.
Accommodation: Millennium Hotel, Rotorua, 2 nights. (B) (HD)

Day 3 Thu: Rotorua

We begin our day with a ride on the Skyline Gondola and breakfast with sparkling wine overlooking Rotorua. We also visit Paradise Valley Springs and enjoy an entertaining look at farm life at the Agrodome’s Sheep Show.
Later, tour the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve where a local Maori guide escorts us past pools of boiling mud and geysers.
We also view kiwis here. This afternoon relax, explore or join an optional tour. Ask your Tour Director for further details. (B)

FARM STAY OPTION
Spend the night with a local family on a nearby farm. Enjoy some true New Zealand hospitality.
Additional cost per person.

Day 4 Fri: Wellington

Our highlights today include charming Taupo, in the heart of the North Island, a visit the mighty Huka Falls and a picturesque drive into the capital city of Wellington, located on the harbour.
Accommodation: Novotel Capital, Wellington. (B)

Day 5 Sat: Blenheim

This morning we enjoy a sightseeing tour of Wellington and take in the panoramic views from Mt. Victoria.
Visit Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum, and explore the fascinating exhibits at your leisure. Later, join the inter-island cruise across Cook Strait and tranquil Queen Charlotte Sound. Tonight enjoy a wine tasting and dinner at the Montana Winery.
Accommodation: Blenheim Country Hotel or Chateau Marlborough, Blenheim. (B) (HD)

Day 6 Sun: Christchurch

Today we experience the stunning scenery of the east coast and see New Zealand fur seals. Visit Kaikoura where you can take an optional whale watching flight (own expense), then continue on to Christchurch.
Accommodation: The Heritage Hotel, Christchurch. (B)

Day 7 Mon: Mt. Cook

Discover the sights of Christchurch this morning on the Christchurch Tram. Enjoy views of the colourful patchwork plains, then visit beautiful Lake Tekapo and see the Church of the Good Shepherd. We also take in the scenery of Mt. Cook National Park, home to New Zealand’s highest mountain and you can take an optional scenic flight (weather permitting).
Accommodation: MacKenzie Country Inn – Deluxe Rooms, Twizel. (B)

Day 8 Tue: Mt. Cook – Dunedin

See the pretty Oamaru region today before journeying on to Dunedin. This afternoon is free for you to explore this charming town founded by Scottish settlers – perhaps visit Cadbury World or take a wildlife cruise.
Accommodation: Southern Cross Hotel, Dunedin. (B)

Day 9 Wed: Dunedin – Te Anau

Enjoy a guided tour at Larnach Castle, followed by the highlights of Dunedin on a sightseeing tour. This evening stay in Te Anau.
Accommodation: Village Inn, Te Anau. (B)

Day 10 Thu: Milford Sound

Experience the magnificent alpine scenery of Fiordland today. We drive through the mile long hand hewn Homer Tunnel and see The Chasm. Later, we discover spectacular Milford Sound on a memorable cruise. See Mitre Peak and Bowen Falls.
Why not experience the entertaining Kiwi Haka & Dinner tonight?
Accommodation: Millennium Hotel, Queenstown, 2 nights. (B)

Day 11 Fri: Queenstown

Explore Queenstown at your leisure today. You could take an exhilarating jet boat ride or go white water rafting. Tonight board the historic steamship T.S.S. Earnslaw for a cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station where you experience a sheep dog demonstration and a sumptuous carvery dinner. (B) (HD)

Day 12 Sat: Franz Josef

Colourful Arrowtown is our first stop today to discover the rich history and browse through the delightful shops. We also see Lake Wanaka, Cromwell, Kawarau Gorge, Stop at Thunder Creek Falls, travel over the Haast Pass and take in the awesome scenery of the towering mountains and the sparkling Tasman Sea along the coastal road to Franz Josef.
Accommodation: Franz Josef Glacier Hotel, Franz Josef. (B)

Day 13 Sun: Punakaiki – TranzAlpine

Discover the magnificent Franz Josef Glacier today. Next we visit Hokitika where you can see beautiful native greenstone (jade) jewellery and artefacts then view the fascinating Pancake Rocks and Blowholes at Punakaiki. At Arthur’s Pass board the TranzAlpine train for a spectacular journey over the Southern Alps to Christchurch.
Accommodation: The Heritage Hotel, Christchurch. (B)

Day 14 Mon: Depart Christchurch

You will be transferred to Christchurch Airport for your onward flight. (B)

Tour Dates & Prices

* = Guaranteed Departure